Travel Q&A: Nantucket, Istanbul, Europe and more

Nantucket is gorgeous. But June — especially early June — can still be chilly. You might hit a warm spot, but in general, you can't depend on being able to enjoy beaches (as in, in your bathing suits) in early June.

Q: My family is considering a trip to Nantucket in June. We weren’t planning to take a car, so we’d be dependent on public transportation, bikes, walking, etc. Will early June be sufficiently warm to enjoy the beach? How much hindrance would staying more than a mile outside the historic “town” present to easy access to activities and the beach? Are some neighborhoods around the town better than others? How easy is it to get to beaches without a car?

A: Nantucket is gorgeous. But June — especially early June — can still be chilly. You might hit a warm spot, but in general, you can’t depend on being able to enjoy beaches (as in, in your bathing suits) in early June. Average temps that month have highs in the mid-60s, but the wind off the ocean can make it feel much cooler than that when you’re on the beach. But if you don’t mind layering your clothes a little bit, it can be a pleasant time to be there. (Although my favorite time to visit Nantucket, the Vineyard or the Cape is just after Labor Day.)

For better news: Transportation is easy without a car. Bike rentals, moped rentals and shuttle buses abound, and you can easily use those to get to beaches. The town is so compact that I don’t really think there’s too much difference in character between the “neighborhoods.” Of course, the closer you are to downtown and the wharf, the busier things are going to be, but other than that, it’s pretty quiet.

— Joe Yonan

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Q: In late April we arrive in Istanbul at 5 p.m. and leave again at 1 a.m. for Johannesburg. Is there anything to do in Istanbul during that time or should we just get a hotel room and take a shower and nap? Naturally, the time is really much shorter by the time we actually get out of the airport and then have to get back two to three hours before the flight. Maybe dinner in a special restaurant?

A: I recently had a seven-hour layover in Istanbul and struggled with the decision to hang out in the airport (ugh) or explore the unknowns of Istanbul (yay!). After some serious thinking, which included my mother’s warning about the awful traffic there, I ultimately decided to stay. And the time oddly flew by: There were lots of restaurants, shops and benches for naps.

I think at that hour, you would be wise to stick close to the airport. If you are flying Turkish Airlines, the carrier offers free accommodations based on the length of your layover. The airport also has temporary lodging options.

— Andrea Sachs

Q: We never travel during peak season, but with my spouse in grad school this semester we are going to have to wait until mid-May for our big “outside North America” trip. We haven’t settled on a destination (Belgium is in the lead, but we’re thinking of Berlin or Dublin as well), but I’m wondering if we should start getting serious about planning now in order to secure the best flights and hotels. Any advice on destination or booking time frames appreciated. We’re into staying in walkable cities with lots to do, museums, bars, music, food, etc.

A: Start planning now, especially your air travel. First you’ll have to choose the destination, but it helps to become familiar with the usual airfares so you know when to buy. Dublin is likely going to be the cheapest of those three because Aer Lingus serves it, but Berlin may also have some good fares via Air Berlin.

— Carol Sottili

Q: I’m heading to Key West for two nights and Miami for three next week. I’ve never been to the Keys, but I hear that Key West is very touristy and wonder whether there are any “off-the-beaten-path” things to discover there.

A: If you have a day to spare, head to the Dry Tortugas, which is a world away from Key West and definitely off the beaten path. My favorite activity when I’m in the Keys is diving, and one of my favorite dive spots is Looe Key. It’s nice and quiet under 30 feet of water.